Apple TV has acquired the psychological horror series Ascension, which will star Irish actress Caitriona Balfe and be executive produced by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, the streaming platform announced on Monday.
The television production is adapted from the 2012 horror novel Last Days by British author Adam Nevill. Balfe, who plays the lead role, will also serve as a producer on the psychological thriller.
Cuaron is an Academy Award winning filmmaker best known for directing critically acclaimed movies such as Roma and Gravity. Balfe is widely recognized for her starring role in the historical drama series Outlander and her performance in the film Belfast. Apple TV operates as a global subscription video streaming service owned by Apple Inc.
The plot focuses on Rose, played by Balfe, a documentary filmmaker and newly divorced mother. She begins investigating the history of a 20th century cult known as the Church of Ascension.
According to a press release from the streaming service, Rose initially finds an unexpected refuge in the teachings of the cult, before discovering something far more sinister lurking behind the group.
The announcement noted that Ascension explores themes of evil and innocence at the highest level. The series examines how far people are willing to go and what they are willing to sacrifice to protect those they love, even when they themselves might represent the greatest threat to their family.
Production Team and Creative Leaders
Filmmakers Natalie Erika James and Christian White will serve as showrunners for the series. The duo will also write the screenplays alongside Alfonso Cuaron and his brother, screenwriter Carlos Cuaron.
James previously directed the psychological horror film Relic, while White co-created the thriller series Clickbait. Carlos Cuaron previously collaborated with his brother on the screenplay for Y tu mama tambien, which earned an Academy Award nomination.
Ascension is produced by Apple Studios in association with production company Anonymous Content. Alfonso Cuaron will executive produce the project through his banner Esperanto Filmoj, as part of an overall television deal he maintains with Apple.
Second Collaboration with Apple TV
The acquisition marks Cuaron's second television project for Apple TV. The Mexican director previously released the psychological thriller miniseries Disclaimer on the streaming service in November 2024.
Disclaimer starred Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett as a prestigious journalist whose life begins to unravel when she receives a secret novel exposing a dark secret from her past in Italy that threatens to destroy her family life.
The miniseries earned two Emmy Award nominations, including a best actress nod for Blanchett in a limited series. The production also received a nomination for best cinematography in a limited series for cinematographers Emmanuel Lubezki and Bruno Delbonnel. Lubezki is a three time Academy Award winner known for Gravity and The Revenant, while Delbonnel is an acclaimed French cinematographer known for Amelie.
